Changing Hemispheres

Latest Update 5/3/13

I attempted two of the suggested excercises. I slightly changed the direction on the cut outs exercise and used multiple colors to suggest different types of spaces. I liked the bright layering of colors in this activity.

In the tracing exercise I appreciated the simple nature of following a predestined path and understanding how the roads interacted and showed different types roadways by width and consistency.

I have to apologize for my consistent inconsistency on my project board but it does show the path of how my mind has gone in locating my final project My original intention was to show my former and new life. I am going to therefore create (most definitely) a map of my old neighborhood, Union Square in SF, and my new town, Kiama. I will call out the following:

Shops

Parks/Plazas

Restaurants (favorite dish)

I will use bright colors to express the vibrant, busy nature of Union Square and the relaxed, beautiful nature of Kiama.

My intention is to combine parts of my former life within the Northern Hemisphere and my new life in the Southern Hemisphere. Images hoping to be touched on are:

For this project I am going to focus on one map. I will mix in personal anecdotes and place markers integrate my photographs to express simple beauty. The map will serve as a personal story but perhaps also as a draw for people wishing to explore.

Why am I making this map? For fun? A client? A gift? To showcase my favorite places? Etc.

I am making this map as a personal exploration of a new place and perhaps people in Kiama or Union Square can use it.

Why am I the expert to create this map?

My map will show places specific to my exploration; objects and nooks that I appreciate personally.

Who is my target audience?

My target audience is any one who is curious!

Do I want my final project to be printed or digital? How is going to be used/held? What other constraints do I need to keep in mind moving forward? (Note type can be smaller on printed maps than when viewed on web)

I want my final project to be digital. I have to think about the constraints of my technology base (no Photoshop, Illustrator or the like, only word, preview, iMovie, etc.)

San Francisco Transit Map: I had a love/hate relationship with this map for five years. It is confusing, unless you know where you are, where you need to go and what form of transit (train, bus, streetcar, trolley, subway) you need to be on. Yep.

Spring Creek Wetlands Guide: a map and guide to the area that I walk/run in nearby. It is one of the most beautiful walks I have even been on and is inspiring part of my project.

Project Milestone: I first must apologize for my delay, there was a mini tornado/water to land funnel in Kiama and the power was out until late last night. Several homes damaged but no injuries or deaths. The tornado actually went along the street by where I have marked "cliff houses" and we are on Hothersal Street. For my assignment (which I started previous to said tornado), I have drawn two maps to relate my own sense of memory for locations new and old. I first drew a map of my neighborhood in SF without looking anything up and remembered as much as I could with the below result.

Next I attempted to draw a portion of Kiama, my current location, and ended up laughing histerically at my inability to connect roads, train tracks, and building locations within a reasonable format! It is partially due to a non grid format of the town but also a simple lack of time and attention to surroundings.

I created two drawings, the first truly lacking any detail and the second, not much better! I even had to cut the paper in half and reverse the pieces to make the map work.

It was a fun experiment in the ability of memory, attention to detail and orientation. This assignment prepared me for use of color, better/larger lettering and proportion handling. It also made me focus in on my large project subject.